THE TEXAS BLOCKADE.; DESTRUCTION OF THE STEAMER CLIFTON. A REBEL STEAMER RUNS INTO VELASCO.

Published: April 13, 1864

From Our Own Corespondent.

UNITED STATES STEAMER ARKANSAS, NEW-ORLEANS, Saturday, April 2, 1864.

This steamer, under the command of Capt. DAVID CATE, arrived at this city last evening from a cruise to the blockading squadrons off the coast of Texas. She brings the gratifying intelligence of the total destruction of the rebel steamer Clifton on the night of Monday, March 21. While attempting to run the blockade at Sabine Pass, with over 700 bales cotton, she got aground on the bar. The rebels made every possible exertion to get her off, throwing overboard a large quantity of cotton to lighten her, but all their efforts were futile; she remained immovable, and they were obliged to destroy her, or see her fall into the hands of the hated "Yankees." They, therefore, set her on fire, and she, with all her remaining cargo, was soon totally consumed. The cotton bales thrown overboard were seen floating around by several of the blockading fleet, who were prevented by the roughness of the sea from securing them. The Clifton was formerly the United States gunboat of that name, and, together with the United States steamer Sachem, was captured by the rebels at Sabine in September last. It has been frequently reported by deserters and refugees, who come off to the fleet in considerable numbers; that the rebels were fitting her up as "cotton-clad," and were coming out to attack the blockading fleet. Her heavy armament and great steam power would have made her a very formidable antagonist, and her destruction is truly a matter of rejoicing. Her wreck now lies on the bar in full view of the fleet, and has already been visited by some of our adventurous officers and sailors. A large cotton-loaded schooner was also driven ashore some days since near Velasco (Brazos River) by a blockader, and was abandoned and fired by the rebels after they had thrown over, a portion of her cargo in their efforts to get her off. The Arkansas tell in with and secured fourteen bales of her cotton, weighing about 7,500 pounds, worth about $5,000, which will be quite a windfall for her officers and crew, among whom the proceeds will be divided. Thus it appears that some of the blockade-runners are coming to grief. But, per contra, it is also reported that some weeks since a large side-wheel steamer, with a large and valuable cargo, (among other things, 4,000 stand of arms for the Confederate Government,) endeavored to run into Galveston, but, being driven off by the fleet, made another essay to run into Velasco, and, favored by a dense fog, succeeded, but got aground on the bar, where, when the fog lifted, she was discovered by the gunboat stationed there, which immediately got under way and endeavored to capture or destroy her. Several shots were fired at her, but the rebel batteries on shore opened fire on the gunboat, and having guns of longer range, were enabled to throw their shot and shell all around and over her, (though fortunately none struck her,) while her missiles were not able to reach the shore; she was, therefore, compelled to withdraw, and when the tide rose the blockade runner got off and proceeded into port. Deserters report that she is now loaded with 1,100 bales of cotton, and is waiting a favorable opportunity to run out. She came down to the bar a day or two since, but, for some reason, went back again. Our vigilant blockaders are on the lookout for her, and are sanguine in their expectations of capturing her when she comes out. We sincerely hope they may succeed in doing so, as she, with her cargo, which belongs to the rebel Government, is worth at least a million dollars. A number of other vessels (among them the Harriet Lane) are also known to be preparing to ruu out, and we hope ere long to see them sent in as prizes to some of our cruisers. The Arkansas also brings a number of passengers and deserters from the rebel army. They report much and increasing privation and dissatisfaction in the rebel ranks. Among other circumstances, they state that during the "cold spell" in January over ninety rebel soldiers were frozen to death in MAGRUDER's army, and the others endured almost inconceivable sufferings. Let us hope that their bitter experience will soon effectually sicken them of rebellion, and induce them to return to their allegiance.